Fluid impulse mechanism



April 9, 1963 G. J. YEVlCK 3,084,629

FLUID IMPULSE MECHANISM Filed April 20. 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

J. Y5K

WORM X. :fimaex x11. TTQRNEY A ril 9, 1963 G. J. YEVICK 3,084,629

FLUID IMPULSE MECHANISM Filed April 20, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

GE J. YIK

April 9, 1963 G. J. YEVICK FLUID IMPULSE MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 20. 1959 R O T m V m GEORGE J. YEVICK April 9, 1963 G. J. YEVICK FLUID IMPULSE MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 20, 1959 INVENTOR. GQE J. YEVI BY Twomcm. m 99A 'TT N 3,084,629 FLUID LWULSE MEGHANISM George J. Yevick, 317 W. 87th St., New York, N.Y. Filed Apr. 20, 1959, Ser. No. 307,721 28 Claims. (Cl. 103-4) This invention relates to mechanisms for imparting motron to electrically conductive liquids. The force applied to the liquid is known as the Lorentz magnetic force and arises from the interaction of a current passed by the liquid and a magnetic field.

The invention displays utility as a means for producing neutrons and protons in collision reactions or processes involving various isotopes of the elements hydrogen, helium and lithium. For example, colliding high energy streams of deuterons, such as lithium deuteride streams, will yield neutrons or protons. As known to workers in the field of atomic physics, any device or scheme for pro ducing these particles is useful in the study of atomic structure. A plasma may also arise during such collisions and hence the device also displays utility as a plasma generator.

The invention further displays utility in other arts. The device provides a simple yet dependable mechanism for accelerating gases in metal-burning torches. Another use is the pumping of liquid metals, such as sodium, as illustrated, for example, in US. Patent 2,558,698 to Wade.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective on one embodiment of the invention, the mechanism for rotating one of the elements thereof having been omitted,

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal cross-section of the embodiment of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 3 is a transverse cross-section of the embodiment of FIGURE 1, taken along line 3-3 of FIG- URE 2,

FIGURES 4 to 7 schematically illustrate the operation of the embodiment of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 8 is a perspective of another embodiment of the invention,

FIGURE 9 is a perspective of a third embodiment of the invention,

FIGURE 10 is a cross-section, partially schematic, of a device including any of the shown embodiments for producing neutrons and protons.

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the numeral 1%) denotes generally one embodiment of a fluid impulse mechanism of this invention and includes a fixed cylinder 12 formed of an electrical insulating material and provided with three longitudinal slots, the first and second of which extend the length of the element 12. The first of these slots receives the end of an electrode 14 having coolant passageways 16 and is provided with a rib 20. The second slot contains a similar electrode 22 which is of the same construction as that of 14, being provided with a corresponding rib 24, the ribs 20 and 24 also extending the length of cylinder 12. The third slot is between the first two and receives the end of a conduit 26 provided with a passageway 28. One side of this conduit is generally flush with the cylinder surface and is provided with an elongated orifice 30. Insulating septa may be placed between electrodes 14 and 22 if desired to preclude arcing therebetween.

A hollow cylinder 34- of ceramic or other insulating material having a complementary interior surface 35 is placed around the stationary member 12 and is provided on its exterior surface with a reinforcing cylinder 36 of steel or other material of high tensile strength. The axes of cylinders 12 and 34 are coincident, and by any suitable 7o arrangement (not shown) the latter may be rotated at high 3,884,628 Patented Apr. 9, 1953 ice ed speed, the reinforcing cylinder 36 precluding mechanical breakage of the ceramic due to centrifugal forces.

Two curved electrodes 40 and 42 adapted to carry high currents are each provided with an interior passage for the flow of a coolant and are situated away from the ends of the interior surface 35. These electrodes are fixedly spaced relative to the other described elements by any suitable mounting arrangement. As shown in the drawings, electrodes 14, 22 and conduit 26 pass through the plane of electrode 40.

The operation of this embodiment is as follows. The cylinder 34 is rotated at a high speed about its axis and, for the intended use of producing neutrons and protons or a plasma, lithium deuteride (or any electrically conductive fluid having a very low atomic number) under pressure in passageway 28 is emitted from the slot 30 and impinges upon the interior surface 35 of the rotating cylinder. It is then carried in the assumed direction of rotation (shown by the curved arrow R) past the rib 20 of electrode '14- until it is adjacent the rib 24 of electrode 22. At this stage, the lithium deuteride is in the form of a sheet or film held tightly against the interior surface 35 by virtue of centrifugal force and extends from one electrode rib to the other and in electrical contact with both. The sheet forms a junction between electrodes 14 and 22, and a large current passes therethrough.

Large currents in the directions indicated by the curved arrows i (see FIG. 1) and the conventional cross and dot (see FIG. 2) are fed through encircling electrodes 40 and 42, giving rise to a magnetic field having magnetic flux lines 44. Because the electrodes 40 and 42 are placed slightly beyond the edges of the rotating cylinder, these lines pentrate the interior cylinder surface 35 substantially at right angles. Consideration of the Well-known rule relating the direction of force on a conductor to its current and an adjacent magnetic field shows that the lithium deuteride sheet will be urged along the interior of the rotating cylinder 34 towards the remote or right-hand end (FIGS. 1 and 2). The magnitude of the force is proportional to the circumferential extent of the lithium deuteride sheet, i.e., the distance from electrode '14 to electrode 22, the current therethrough and the magnetic field due to current in electrodes 40 and 42. Very large currents in these electrodes are necessary for the desired magnetic field strength and hence resort to coolant through the electrodes is necessary.

The curved lithium deuteride sheet, now under the influence of the magnetic fields of the electrodes 40 and 42, accelerates toward the remote end of the rotating cylinder. Because the ribs 20 and 24 extend the entire length of the stationary member 12, the sheet experiences a Lorentz force until it emerges from the cylinder end.

Reference to schematic FIGURES 4 to 7 illustrates a self-cyclic feature of the invention. In FIGURE 4 the deuteride sheet, formed by the liquid sprayed on rotating surface 35, has passed from opposite orifice 30, past electrode rib 20, nearly to electrode rib 24. In FIGURE 5 it is shown as just having reached rib- 24. FIGURE 6 shows the sheet midway of the rotating cylinder as a result of very rapid acceleration due to the Lorentz force. In FIGURE 7 the sheet has traveled completely to the end of the cylinder and a new sheet is beginning to form.

The Lorentz force on the deuteride sheet due to the interaction of the current and magnetic field is given by F=iLXB where i is the current through it, L its length (circumferential extent), B the magnetic field strength and X the sine of the angle between the direction of the current and the direction of the magnetic lines of force. With the high magnetic fields and currents intended, the force on a sheet is very large and the final velocity is of great magnitude. The interior surface 35 may be tapered to insure a high density of the expelled liquid.

While two electrodes 40 and 4 2 have been shown, it will be understood that this merely increases the field strength given by one and hence a single may be used.

Adverting now to the embodiment of FIGURE 8, the numeral 50' generally denotes a second embodiment of the invention which includes a block 52 of insulating material, here shown transparent for purposes of illustration. A part cylindrical chamber 54 extends lengthwise of the block, the distant end opening into a face of the block. A pant cylindrical member 56 defines, with the remainder of the block 52, the chamber 54. An electrode 58 having passages 60 therein for cooling purposes is placed along one longitudinal side of chamber 54, extending the length thereof, and diverges away from the near face of the block 52. A similar electrode 62 having coolant passages 64 is placed along the other longitudinal side of chamber 54. Similarly, it extends the length of the chamber and diverges away from the near face of the block 52.

A curved electrode 66, having coolant passages therein (not shown), is located adjacent and with its plane pariallel to the near face of the block 52. Its perpendicular axis is coincident with the longitudinal axis of the chamber 54.

A cavity 68 denoted in part by radial shade lines lies 'interiorly of the near portion of chamber 54 and communicates therewith *by virtue of slots or foramina 70. An inlet conduit 72 communicates with cavity 68 radially inwardly of chamber 54.

The operation of this embodiment is as follows. A large current passed through electrode 66 gives rise to a large magnetic field therearound. This field passes substantially at right angles through the walls of chamber 54, its direction being opposite at opposite ends of a diameter thereof.

Lithium deuteride is pumped into cavity, passes through the foram-ina 70, sprays outwardly therefrom onto the concave surface of chamber 54, and forms a curved sheet extending from electrode 58 to electrode 62. This sheet electrically connects the two electrodes and a large current commences to flow therethrough. Application of the well-known rule relating the (Lorentz) force on a conductor (the sheet), the direction of an external magnetic field (due to current in electrode 66) and the magnitude of the current through the conductor shows that for a certain current direction through 66 and through the sheet, the latter will be accelerated down the chamber 54, away from the reader, its ends contacting electrodes 58 and 62 throughout its travel.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 9 is similar to that of FIGURE 8, the corresponding elements of the former carrying the postscrip a. The paramount structural difference is that the chamber 54:; of this embodiment is spiral in cross-section. The electrodes 58a and 62a, the latter coinciding with the longitudinal axis of chamber 54a, are here radially spaced from one another since the chamber ends are similarly spaced. The initial whorl of the spiral communicates with electrode 62a. The advantage obtaining from the spiral cross-section being a longer fluid sheet element, i.e., lithium deuteride, for the same outside diameter and block length and hence a greater Lorentz force on the sheet. The mode of operation of this embodiment is essentially the same as that described with reference to FIGURE 8 and hence need not be repeated. 7

For the purpose of focusing, the chambers 54 and 54a may be tapered toward the remote end.

The desired magnetic field strength for any application of the device may be very high, requiring large currents in electrodes 40, 42, 66 or 66a. The desired current magnitude, which may be of the order of one million amperes, is much too large to be economically available in the steady state. Hence, recourse to a capacitor arrangement for giving such currents upon condenser discharge may be made. Other schemes for producing high currents over short-time periods, such as a homopolar generator, may also be used.

The current passing through the deuteride sheet is also extremely high. The greater its magnitude, the greater the final velocity of the sheet.

Each embodiment of the impulse mechanism exhibits the self-cyclic operation described with reference to FIG- URES 4 to 7 as regards the feeding in and expulsion from the mechanism of the lithium deuteride. Upon the com: pletion of a circuit path by the liquid sheet, the latter moves extremely rapidly along its path and out of the cylinder or spiral, as the case may be. The time for the liquid sheets exit from the mechanism is very small both absolutely and compared to the time required for its formation. Consequently, the pumping of the lithium deuteride into the mechanism may be continuous, no timing or synchronizing valves or the like being required. The above mode of operation results in the regular intermittant discharge of the liquid Whose periodicity will depend upon the time taken to form the sheet and the time taken to discharge it.

The reader will note that while the above description has been set forth with lithium deuteride as the fluid, any "conductive liquid as well as a gas may be employed for a specific intended use.

Referring now to "FIGURE 10 of the drawings, a use of the invention involving collision reactions is shown. An apparatus -80, shown partially in cross-section and partially schematically, includes inner and outer concentric shells 82 and 84. Inlet and outlet conduits 86 and 88, the former adjacent a pump 90, communicate with the space between the shells. A coolant fluid passes through these described elements as depicted by the curved arrows. The outside of the inner shell is covered with a material 92 having a high capture cross-section, such as cadmium, for a purpose to be below described. An outlet conduit 93, for drainage purposes, leads out from the interior of shell 92. 1

At opposite ends of a diameter of apparatus 89 two fluid impulse mechanisms 94 are located. It is intended that the numeral 94 embrace any of the mechanisms of FIGURES 1 to 9. For ease and clarity of illustration, two such mechanisms are shown although their number may be increased, the mode of operation for a greater numberbeing essentially the same as that which follows.

.In operation, an isotope of hydrogen, helium or lithium in a pulsed stream emerges from the left mechanism 94 at great speed and impinges upon a like stream from the right mechanism 94. The neuclei in the two streams are of such velocity and density that their collision produces a reaction releasing neutrons and/or protons. If the collision is violent enough, i.e., the velocity of the colliding sheets great enough, a plasma (a gas composed of free electrons and ions in equal numbers chargewise) is. produced. Plasmas exhibit great utility in the study of astrophysical phenomena as well as the study of atomic structure.

' To control heat attendant these collisions, the energy radiated (denoted by the radial lines) strikes the interior of the shell -82 where its absorbtion raises the temperamm of the coolant fluid. Any neutrons attendant the collisions are controlled by being absorbed by the cadmium layer 92. Conduit 93 may be employed if desired to lead away any of the colliding streams which do not take part in the reactions.

' It will be remembered that the deuterium emerges intermittently from each impulse mechanism, and hence the two mechanisms 94 will be synchronized so they fire at the sametime.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application S.N. 720,482 filed March 10, 1958, now abandoned.

' I claim:

1. A fluid impulse mechanism including a body having a curved interior surface, the surface having a longitudinal axis parallel to which are located two electrodes extending the length of the surface and angularly spaced with respect to the surface, the electrodes being adjacent the surface, means for producing a fluid film on the surface extending from one electrode to the other, and means for producing a magnetic field through the surface, the direction of the field being opposite at opposite sides of a line normal to the longitudinal axis.

2. The mechanism of claim 1 wherein the said angular spacing between the electrodes varies along the longitudinal axis.

3. The fluid impulse mechanism of claim 1, wherein the said fluid film producing means produces a film of a lesser axial extent than the axial extent of the said surface.

4. A fluid impulse mechanism including a body having a chamber therein, the chamber having a longitudinal axis and a curved surface, a pair of electrodes extending the length of the chamber, the electrodes being angularly spaced with respect to the curved surface, means for producing a film of electrically conductive fluid on the surface extending from one electrode to the other, and means for producing a magnetic field through the surface, the direction of the field being opposite at opposite sides of a line normal to the longitudinal axis.

5. The mechanism of claim 4 wherein the said angular spacing between the electrodes varies along the longitudinal axis.

6. The fluid impulse mechanism of claim 4, wherein the said means for producing a film produces a film of lesser axial extent than the axial extent of the said curved surface.

7. A fluid impulse mechanism including a body having an interior cylindrical surface, the body being ro tatable about the longitudinal axis of the surface, means for injecting radially outwardly an electrically conductive fluid on the surface, whereby upon rotation a fluid film will form on the surface due to the action of centrifugal force on the injected fluid, means for supplying a cur- .rent through the film in a single circumferential direction,

and means for producing a magnetic field through the surface, the direction of the field being opposite at opposite sides of a line normal to the longitudinal axis.

8. The fluid impulse mechanism of claim 7 wherein the said means injects a conductive fluid of lesser axial extent than the said cylindrical surface.

9. In a fluid impulse mechanism including a body having an interior cylindrical surface, the body being rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the surface, means for injecting radially outwardly an electrically conductive fluid on the surface, whereby upon rotation of the body a fluid film will form on the surface due to the action of centrifugal force on the injected fluid, and means for producing a magnetic field through the surface, the direction of the field being opposite at opposite sides of a line normal to the longitudinal axis.

10. The mechanism of claim 9 whereby the angular spacing between the electrodes varies along the longitudinal axis.

11. In a fluid impulse mechanism including a body having an interior cylindrical surface, the body being rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the surface, a pair of electrodes extending the length of the surface and angularly spaced with respect thereto, the electrodes being stationary with respect to the body and located radially inwardly of the surface and adjacent thereto, means for injecting radially outwardly an electrically conductive fluid on the surface, whereby upon rotation of the body a fluid film will form on the surface due to the action of centrifugal force on the injected fluid.

12. The fluid impulse mechanism of claim 11 wherein the said means injects a conductive fluid of lesser axial extent than said surface.

13. A fluid impulse mechanism including a body having an interior cylindrical surface, the body being rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, a pair of electrodes stationary with respect to the body and extending lengthwise of the cylindrical surface, radially inwardly thereof and adjacent thereto, means for injecting an electrically conductive fluid on the surface, and means for producing a magnetic field through the surface, the direction of the field being opposite at opposite sides of a line normal to the longitudinal axis, whereby rotation of the body and injection of the fluid results in the formation of a fluid film on the surface between the electrodes, the Lorentz coaction between the magnetic field and a current through the film urging the latter along the'surface and out of the body.

14. The mechanism of claim 13 wherein the angular spacing between the electrodes varies along the longitudinal axis.

15. The fluid impulse mechanism of claim 13 wherein the said means injects a conductive fluid of lesser axial extent than said electrodes.

16. A fluid impulse mechanism including a body having a part-cylindrical interior surface, two electrodes communicating with the ends of the surface and extending lengthwise thereof, means for producing a film of electrically conductive fluid on the surface which extends angularly from one electrode to the other, and means for producing a magnetic field through the surface, the direction of the field being opposite at opposite sides of a line normal to the longitudinal axis of the said surface.

17. The mechanism of claim 16 wherein the angular spacing between the electrodes varies along the longitudinal axis of the said surface.

:18. The fluid impulse mechanism of claim 16 wherein the film produced by the said means is of lesser axial extent than the said electrodes.

19. A fluid impulse mechanism including a body having a curved interior surface generated by a line moving outwardly as it is revolved about an axis parallel to it termed the longitudinal axis of the surface, a pair of electrodes extending lengthwise of the surface and adjacent thereto and angularly spaced with respect to it, means for producing a film of electrically conductive fluid on the surface between the electrodes and means for producing a magnetic field being opposite at opposite sides of a line normal to the longitudinal axis.

20. The mechanism of claim 19 wherein the angular spacing between the electrodes varies along the longitudinal axis.

21. The mechanism of claim 20 wherein the generating line moves more than a complete circle about the axis.

22. The mechanism of claim 19' wherein the generating line moves more than a complete circle about the axis.

23. The fluid impulse mechanism of claim 19 wherein the film produced by the said means is of lesser axial extent than the said electrodes.

24. A fluid impulse mechanism including a body having a surface generated by a generatrix revolving about a longitudinal axis, two electrodes embedded in the body and extending lengthwise of the said surface and communication with the ends of the said surface, means for producing a film of electrically conductive fluid on the said surface extending from one electrode to the other, and means for producing a magnetic field through the said surface, the direction of the field being opposite at opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the said surface.

25. The fluid impulse mechanism of claim 24 wherein the said means includes a cavity in the said body, said cavity having foramina communicating with the said surface and being of a lesser axial extent than the said electrodes.

26. The fluid impulse mechanism of claim 24 wherein the angular spacing between the electrodes varies along the longitudinal axis of the surface.

27. The fluid impulse mechanism of claim 24 wherein the generatrix is revolved less than a complete circle about the said longitudinal axis and at a constant distance therefrom. v I I 28. The fluid impulse mechanism of claim 24 wherein the generatrix is revolved more than a complete circle about the said longitudinal axis and at varying distance therefrom. 1

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,124,914 Fottinger July 26, 1938 2,161,985 Szilard June 13, 1939 2,289,440 Kugel July 14, 1942 2,500,223 Wells et al Mar. 14, 1950 8 Wade June 2 6, 1951 Crever Sept. 22, 1953 Vandenberg Sept. 6, 1955 Lindenblad Apr. 17, 1956 Fenemore Mar. 26, 1957 Lindenblad Sept. 24, 1957 Erwin Oct. 1, 1957 Auer et a1 July 19, 1960 Hilgert Nov. 29, 1960 Sharbaugh et a1 July 11, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Oct. 22, 1940 France Oct. 23, 1933 Great Britain May 1, 1957 

1. A FLUID IMPULSE MECHANISM INCLUDING A BODY HAVING A CURVED INTERIOR SURFACE, THE SURFACE HAVING A LONGITUDINAL AXIS PARALLEL TO WHICH ARE LOCATED TWO ELECTRODES EXTENDING THE LENGTH OF THE SURFACE AND ANGULARLY SPACED WITH RESPECT TO THE SURFACE, THE ELECTRODES BEING ADJACENT THE SURFACE, MEANS FOR PRODUCING A FLUID FILM ON THE SURFACE EXTENDING FROM ONE ELECTRODE TO THE OTHER, AND MEANS FOR PRODUCING A MAGNETIC FIELD THROUGH THE SURFACE, THE DIRECTION OF THE FIELD BEING OPPOSITE AT OPPOSITE SIDES OF A LINE NORMAL TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS. 